Closure return and check mechanism



Nov. 2, 1965 c. G. PIERIE CLOSURE RETURN AND CHECK MEGHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 24, 1963 INVENTORS CHARLES G. PIERiE BMW ATTYS' Nov. 2, 1965 c. G. Pil-:RIE 3,214,787

GLOSURE RETURN AND CHECK MECHANISM Filed June 24, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIGS.

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Nov. 2, 1965 c. G. PIERIE 3,214,787

CLOSURE RETURN AND CHECK MECHANISM Filed June 24, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG 9. FIG. IO.

SWIM/ll INVENTOR: CHARLES G. PIERIE ATTLS;

United States Patent O 3,214,787 CLOSURE RETURN AND CHECK MECHANISM Charles G. Pierie, Huntingdon and Creek Roads, Huntingdon Valley, Pa. Filed .lune 24, 1963, Ser. No. 289,909 14 Claims. (Cl. 16-65) This invention relates to a return and check mechanism for a hinged closure and has for an object the provision of improvements in this art.

One of the particular objects of the invention is to provide a closure return and check device which provides different types of action at different parts of the closure movement, with each type of action uniquely suited to the portion of the movement where it is effective.

Another object is to provide means 4having a biasing eifect tending to oppose the initial movement of the closure away from its closed position but which reduces its biasing etect during the opening of the closure.

Another `object is to provide means having a relatively strong biasing eiect tending to return the closure from its outermost position; which imposes a transient return- 'opposing biasing eiect as the closure approaches its nal return position; and which nally eliminates the returnopposing bias just before the closure reaches its fully closed position.

Another object is to provide means for furnishing the above actions which is of a simple and relatively inexpensive nature.

Another object is to provide means for altering the action of a simple helical coil compression spring at different stages of the closure movement to secure the desired effects.

Another object is to provide means for adjusting the action altering means to change the time and degree of the various actions.

The above and other objects of the invention, as well as various novel features and advantages, will be apparent from the following description of certain exemplary embodiments, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. l is a top plan view of the closure return and check device installed on a door;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the parts shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged horizontal section taken on the line 3 3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a transverse section taken on the line 4 4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal section with the door partially opened;

FIG. 6 is a view like FIG. 5 but with the door opened slightly further;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial plan view taken on the line 7 7 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 8 8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a view like FIG. 5 but showing the door in the fully open position;

FIG. l0 is a view like FIG. 9 but oreshortened and showing the position of parts as the door nears the closed position;

FIG. ll is an enlarged vertical section and elevation taken on the line 11-11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. l2 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 12 12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a partial plan view of a modified form of action-altering mechanism.

1n the embodiments of the return and check mechanism illustrated, two relatively slidable members are connected between the hinged closure and its frame; a resilient member is mounted for reaction between the slidable members,

8,214,787 Patented Nov. 2, 1965 specifically being mounted between slidable stops on one member which are engaged by guide stops on the other member; one of said relatively slidable members having a pivot connection with the closure; and the other of said members having a swingable and extensible reaction connection with the frame to vary the action of the closure and check mechanism near the closed position during the opening and closing movements ofthe closure, specifically a spring-biased toggle being interposed between the end of the member and a gui-de pivot on the frame.

In one form, the toggle is collapsed and restored to extended condition by adjustable trip elements; in another form the toggle is collapsed and restored by a cam track cooperating with a cam follower associated with the toggle.

The return and check mechanism provided hereby can be used with various hinged members, such as closures for openings, and a specific form of closure is shown herein as a door 10 mounted on hinges secured to a frame 12 so as to swing about the axis of the hinge pins 13.

The complete unit which provides the closure return and check action is generally designated by the numeral 15 and comprises two relatively slidable parts 16 and 17 which are anchored between the closure 10 and the frame 12, as on anchor elements 18 and 19 secured to the closure and frame respectively.

The part 16, which is secured by the anchor element 18 to the closure 10, is formed as a cylinder having ends or caps and 21 which retain between them a compression spring 22.

The part 17, which is secured by the anchor element 19 to the frame 12, is formed as a rod which is slidable in guide openings in the ends 20 and 21 of the cylinder. On the rod 17 inside the cylinder and between the ends of the cylinder and the ends of the spring 22 there are provided spring retaining members in the form of washers 23 and 24 which also have guide openings for the rod 17.

The rod 17 is provided with fixed elements 25 and 26 beyond the washers at the ends of the spring which engage the washers 23 and 24 respectively when the rod moves in one direction but allow the rod to slide through freely when it moves in the other direction. The elements 25, 26 can pass freely through the openings in the ends of the cylinder when moving in either direction, as shown in FIG. 4.

In the specific form here shown, the spring engaging elements and 26 on the rod are made as integral luglike protuberances pinched out on the sides of the rod after the spring and washers have been assembled on the rod.

The hinge axis or hinge pin 27 between the parts 16 and the anchor element 18 is located at one side of the part 16 near its end; and the hinge axis or hinge pin 28 between the part 17 and the anchor element 19 is located at a distance from its end, leaving a length 17a extending beyond the hinge axis.

It is also to be noted that the part 17-which corresponds to the plunger l"rod in conventional reciprocatory door closing devices-is not directly connected to the hinge pin 28 but is slidable near its end in a `guide opening of an opstanding projction 29 of the hinge pin 28. The end of the rod 17 is bent down to form a pivot pin 30 which is connected to one end of a toggle linkage 31 which has its other end connected to the pin 28. The intermediate pin 32 between the two links 31.1 and 31.2 of the toggle linkage, together with associated shoulder stop element 31a 4of the links, permits the toggle linkage to collapse in one direction but not in the other. A spring 33 on the rod part 17a between the projection 29 and the bent end 30 of the rod acts, when cornpressed and released, to open the toggle linkage.

The inner toggle link 31.2, which is connected to the pivot pin 30, has an end extension 35 which projects beyond the pin 30 to stand in a position to strike an upstanding normally fixed pin 36 and break the toggle linka-ge as the closure opens. By the time this happens the -spring 22 has` been considerably compressed and the breaking of the toggle linkage relieves the compression on the spring by allowing it to re-lengthen, as shown by comparing the positions of parts in FIGS. 5 and 6. After the toggle linkage has been broken the spring 33 is put under compression. The partial relief o-f spring 22 makes the opening of the door easier.

Means are provided for cushioning the return of the closure as it nears its closed position, this action being secured, at least in part, by the same spring 22 which u rges it toward closed position. The parts are so formed and arranged' thatV at a given distance yfrom the fully closed position of the closure, say to 30 degrees away (referring to the axis of rod 17), the spring 22 is in a neutral condition in its action on the rod or plunger 17, the toggle linkage being broken. The flat lower end a of the lateral extension 30 at this point (FIGS. 10 and 11)'y engages an upstanding cam member 39 which urges the rod in the direction to shorten the toggle, this action bein-g such as to compress the spring 22 against the outer end of the cylinder and also to compress the spring 33 (FIG. 10) to exert the desired buifer action. The inertia of the swinging closure carries it past this buffering position.

When the closure is very near the fully closed position (about 15 to 20 degrees) the springs 22V and 33 expand to cause the toggle to lengthen and snap into its extended position and preferably. also, by the snap action, to leave some compression of the spring 22 against the end cap 21 tending to keep the closure in its fully closed position.

The cam member 39 andthe rod projection 30a do not engage on the outward or door-opening movement; and the extension andV the pin 36 do not. engage on the door-closing movement. As a consequence, the toggle linkage expands when the door is fully closed to relieve thebujer compression in the spring system; and the toggle collapses after the door has been opened a certain distanceV to relieve the compression in the spring system resisting the openingV of the door. At some position between the fully closedand `fully open position in eachv direction of movement of the closure the main spring 22 is in a substantially neutral condition with no compression in either direction and for the remaining portiony of its travel, in the same direction in which it started to move, the spring condition is altered-.re-compressed in the same direction on the outward travel, and compressed in the opposite direction on thel inward travel.

The toggle breakingV pin 36. is adjastable, FIG. ll, as alongan arcuate slot 40` in the anchorage 19; and the cam member 39 is adjustable in a slot, FIGS. 8, 11 andl 112, as by a screw 41v threaded-in a downturned liange 42k of the anchor member and having a push-pull turning connection with the projection.

Iny order to provide strength and stability for the anchor hinge pin 281the anchor element19 may be formed by securing together two opposed flanged plates provided with opposed embossed portions 19a tohold the pin. The plates of the anchor element 19 are made suiciently. extensive to underlie all of the toggle mech- -anism thereabove.

It is not necessary to make the part 16 as a fully enclosed cylinder but itV is convenient t0 do so and this protects the spring inside and allows lubrication to be maintained for easy` action of the parts. There may be a tendency 'for air to be compressed in the cylinder and this is readily prevented by the provision of a small hole 43 in the side of the cylinder near the middle of its length. The hole is shown above the bottom of the cylinder to avoid oil leakage if lubricant is used and for convenience of illustration but may be placed elsewhere if desired.

FIG. 13 shows a modified form in which the toggle operating mechanism of the first form is eliminated and a cam groove 44 used to provide most of the functions performedy by the other toggle operating mechanism. The bent end 30 of the rod 17 is provided with a cam follower roller 45 to follow the cam 44. Such a roller could be used in the first form instead of the attened end 30, if desired. It will be seen that the cam is so shaped as to shift the action of the spring 22 near the closed position of the door while moving in both directions, toggle 3-1' and spring 33 assisting as in the irst form. The iirst or inner portion 44a of the cam is substantially concentric with the axis of the pivot pin 28, with thel toggle opened or distended, and the second or outer portion 44b is almost concentric but with a shorter radius for a shortened length of the part 17a of the rod, with the toggle broken or retracted. It may be shaped to have special effects, if desired.

In operation of the second form, the iirst movement of the door in opening is to compress the spring 22 a certain amount. AtA a given point away from closed positionthe cam mechanism acts to alter the action of the spring 22 and bring the spring 33 into condition for action. The effect i-s similar to that which would be produced by lengthening the rod or shortening the spring 22. In the first -form the action is produced by breaking the toggle by the parts 36 and 39 and in the second form it is produced by the action of the cam 44 on the cam follower 45 and associated mechanism.

In both forms, in the subsequent opening movement of the door the spring 22 is recompressed against the inner cap 21 and the spring 33 (or 33') is also compressed. This is useful when the door is opened past the ninety degree position. If this action is desired in the second form the cam 44 at the outer end will be suitably formed to release the roller 45 from cam action.

In neither case is it intended that the closure will be opened much beyond ninety degrees.

On the return movement of the door a point is reached Where the spring 22 isin a neutral condition as is also the spring 33. Near the' closed position, cam action (by cam member 39 in the first form and the shape of cam 44 in the second form) causes spring 22 to be put in compression in the direction (i.e., against the cap 20, AFIG. l0) to produce a buffer action opposing the closing of the door. This is relieved as the final closed position is reached, partly by` inertia of moving parts; `and the door is held securely in closed position with a slight compression in spring22. In the closed position the spring 33 is loose on the rod like a loose sleeve without any spring action.

It will be seen that each spring assists the other in compressive and expansive action.

The spring-over toggle after collapse allows the spring 33 (or 33') to. be put in compression when the door is opened further and this assists the further action, especially when the doory is moved somewhat past the degree position. The spring 33 also serves as a protective element which collapses' in rough usage or from weathering. It also serves as a cushioning spring, as a stop sleeve, and as a broken toggle overthrow protection.

The mechanism provides, in effect, a lengthening of plunger rod to enable reverse compressive buffer action of the spring to be obtained.

The toggle provides clickover to straightenv in the final closed position to place the parts in proper position to restart a cycle.

In nearing the final closed position the cam action compresses the spring 33 to cause it to act as a closing buffer and also to assist in -opening the toggle so some compression can be left inthe spring 22 tobias the door to closed position.

It is thus seen that the invention provides a simple and effective closure return mechanism which assists in the opening action and also provides a buffer action in closing.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been described for purposes of illustration, it is to be understood that there may be various embodiments and modiications within the general scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. Closure return and check mechanism for the inner side of a closure hinged to a frame to swing out approximately ninety degrees and return, comprising in combination, two relatively slidable members connected between the closure and trame, a resilient member mounted for reaction between said slidable members, each of said members having reaction elements thereon at each end arranged to act at times on either end of the resilient member to compress it selectively against either end of the other slidable member, a hinge pivot connection between a first one of said slidable members and the closure, a hinge pivot connection carried by said frame for the second one of said slidable members, said frame hinge pivot connection having guide means through which said second member slides, with its end protruding beyond said singe pivot connection, and action altering means, including a variable-length connection between said hinge pivot connection of the frame and the protruding end of said second slidable member, and actuating means for said variable-length connection, which relieves compression in said spring after the closure has moved a distance outward from closed position and which reverses compression on the spring relative to the ends of said slidable members as the closure approaches the closed position.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said variabledength connection of said action altering means includes a toggle linkage 4unit between said frame hinge pivot and said second slidable member.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, in which means are provided for breaking said toggle linkage unit when the closure moves a distance from the closed position to relieve the prior compression in the resilient member.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, in which means are provided for changing the angular point of closure opening at which said toggle linkage unit is broken.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4, in which second collapsing means are provided for further collapsing said toggle linkage unit as the closure nears the closed position to reverse the direction of compression action of said resilient member relative to reaction elements of said slidable members to provide a buffer or check action on the return of the closure.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5, in which means are provided for varying the action of said second co1- lapsing means to conform to the position of the toggle linkage parts when engaged.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5, in which a second resilient member is provided tending to expand said toggle linkage unit, said second resilient member being compressed by said second collapsing means.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, in which said second collapsing means releases the toggle linkage unit just prior to the fully closed position of the closure for expansion of the toggle linkage unit by said second resilient member.

9. Closure return and check mechanism for a closure hinged to a frame to swing out and return, comprising in combination, a cylinder pivoted at one end to the closure, rod guides secured to the ends of said cylinder, a rod slidably mounted in said endguides, end stops on said rod, a spring mounted on said rod between said stops and between the ends of said cylinder, the rod beyond said spring and stops being guided in said guides, a pivot on said frame for said rod, said frame pivot having a slide guide for the rod, a second spring on said rod between said pivot slide guide `and the inner end of the rod, a stop near the end of the rod for said second spring, and means arranged to coact with the inner end of the rod to shorten the length of the portion between said inner end and said slide guide as the closure opens.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9, which also includes means for maintaining the length of the inner end portion shortened `as the closure is closed to place compression in at least one of said springs in a direction to exert a butter action against the closing of the closure and to release the rod for lengthening of the inner end portion as the closure returns to closed position.

11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10, in which said means for shortening the inner end portion of the rod between its inner end and -s-aid slide guide includes a toggle arranged between the end of the rod and the frame pivot slide guide, and means to break and restore said toggle as the closure opens and closes respectively.

12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 11, in which a cam is provided for controlling the toggle position to control the length of the inner end portion of the rod in at least one direction of movement of the closure.

13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 11, in which a cam is provided for further shortening the toggle and compressing said second spring as the closure approaches its closed position.

14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 11, in which earn means are provided for breaking said toggle when the closure moves a predetermined distance in opening, and means for restoring the toggle when the closure is nearer its closed position than said predetermined distance durn ing closure closing movement.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,057,929 4/ 13 Burdett 16-65 1,224,753 5 17 Klasnich 16-65 1,7315 61 10/29 Campbell et al. 16-65 2,320,449 6/43 Schofield 16-65 JOSEPH D. SEERS, Primary Examiner. M. HENSON WOOD, JR., Examiner. 

1. CLOSURE RETURN AND CHECK MECHANISM FOR THE INNER SIDE OF A CLOSURE HINGED TO A FRAME TO SWING OUT APPROXIMATELY NINETY DEGREES AND RETURN, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, TWO RELATIVELY SLIDABLE MEMBERS CONNECTED BETWEEN THE CLOSURE AND FRAME, A RESILIENT MEMBER MOUNTED FOR REACTION BETWEEN SAID SLIDABLE MEMBERS, EACH OF SAID MEMBERS HAVING REACTION ELEMENTS THEREON AT EACH END ARRANGED TO ACT AT TIMES ON EITHER END OF THE RESILIENT MEMBER TO COMPRESS IT SELECTIVELY AGAINST EITHER END OF THE OTHER SLIDABLE MEMBER, A HINGE PIVOT CONNECTION BETWEEN A FIRST ONE OF SAID SLIDABLE MEMBERS AND THE CLOSURE, A HING PIVOT CONNECTION CARRIED BY SAID FRAME FOR THE SECOND ONE OF SAID SLIDABLE MEMBERS, SAID FRAME HINGE PIVOT CONNECTION HAVING GUIDE MEANS THROUGH WHICH SAID SECOND MEMBER SLIDES, WITH ITS END PROTRUDING BEYOND SAID SINGE PIVOT CONNECTION, AND ACTION ALTERING MEANS, INCLUDING A VARIABLE-LENGTH CONNECTION BETWEEN SAID HINGE PIVOT CONNECTION OF THE FRAME AND THE PROTRUDING END OF SAID SECOND SLIDABLE MEMBER, AND ACTUATING MEANS FOR SAID VARIABLE-LENGTH CONNECTION, WHICH RELIEVES COMPRESSION IN SAID SPRING AFTER THE CLOSURE HAS MOVED A DISTANCE OUTWARD FROM CLOSED POSITION AND WHICH REVERSES COMPRESSION ON THE SPRING RELATIVE TO THE ENDS OF SAID SLIDABLE MEMBERS AS THE CLOSURE APPROACHES THE CLOSED POSITION. 